RCB vs SRH LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Virat Kohli And RCB To Wear Black Armbands In IPL Opener. Here's Why

RCB's two most expensive signings at the IPL 2026 mini-auction were Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 7 crore) and Mangesh Yadav (Rs 5.20 crore). Both players have a good chance of featuring today. With Yash Dayal out, Mangesh is a like-for-like replacement. On the other hand, Venkatesh impressed with both bat and ball for RCB in their pre-season intra-squad matches.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had an underwhelming season in 2025. Expected by many to challenge for the title last year, SRH endured a horrible run of form in the middle of the season, languishing towards the bottom of the table. A few late wins saw them recover to sixth, but still well behind the playoffs spots.

This time around, SRH's batting looks even stronger! Can they put together a big season in 2026?

All eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma tonight, the world's No. 1 T20I batter. When on song, there is arguably no scarier batter in world cricket. Abhishek did not enjoy the best of T20 World Cups. However, his best knock came in the final, where he smashed 52 off 21. He'll be hoping to carry that form forward to the first match of IPL 2026.

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium erupts as Virat Kohli walks out for his pre-match practice. RCB's stalwart has not played a single T20I since the IPL 2025 final, having retired from the format in international cricket.

He slammed 657 runs last year. How many will he score this time around?

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), more than any other team, have rebranded the way T20 cricket is played over the last two seasons. The four-highest totals in IPL history belong to the Sunrisers, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen regularly going berserk.

The 300-run barrier is yet to be broken in the IPL, but it is hard to ignore that SRH look most likely to do so.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) begin their title defence today. Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and co. created history in IPL 2025, bringing IPL glory to Bengaluru at long, long last. Now, they enter IPL 2026 as one of the favourites and most balanced sides in the tournament. Many are tipping them to contend for the title once again!

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